lovelace



(No Model.)

W. A. LOVELAGE.

GHARGOAL KILN.

No. 327,804. Patented Oct. 6, 1885.

mm, fiazwaiozalie r allawZawz J J I %W %4Mul v W 1' lTE ll STATES PATENTOFFICE.

WALTER A. LOVELACE, OF NEGAUNEE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TODUDLEY G. STONE, OF SAME PLACE.

CHARCOAL-KILN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,804, dated October6, 1885. Application filed June 30, 1885. Serial No. 170,306. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WALTER A. LOVELACE, formerly of Richmond,Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, residing at N egaunee, inthe county of Marquette and State of Michigan, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Charcoal-Kilns, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, cheap, andefficient portable kiln for charring wood without liability of wastefrom ignition of the material acted upon, and in which the process ofmanufacturing charcoal can be carried on with rapidity and economy.

My invention comprises a circular or domeshaped hood of bination with acentral fire-place, or seat of fire, having preferably an undergroundair-flue; and also in the combination, with said fireplace anddome-shaped hood, of afoundation or support for the latter, ashereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure l is a frontelevation of the kiln and its foundation. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionof the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the foundation.

Referring to these drawings, the letter A designates a fire-place, andBa grate therefor, of any suitable or convenient form. This fire place ispreferably built in the ground below the level of the kiln-floor, andcommunicates directly with a horizontal air-flue, G, that is alsopreferably formed in the ground.

In some instances I prefer to build around the central fire-place, A,and at a suitable distance therefrom, a circular wall, D, of brick orstone. This wall D may be made of any convenient height, and serves as afoundation for a circular or (lOIllG ShZLPGd hood, E, which forms thebody of the kiln.

Access to the kiln is afforded through a suitable doorway formed partlyin the foundationwall D and partly in the lower portion of the hood E,said doorway or opening being closed when necessary by a door, F, havingsuitable fastenings, a a. Through this door F the kiln is supplied withmaterial and the finished product removed.

In the upper part of the hood E, on the side peculiar construction, incomopposite the door F, or at any other convenient point, is anotherdoor, G, secured by fastenings b b, and through which the kiln can alsobe supplied.

In the foundation-wall D are lateral openings or passages c c for theescape of smoke, steam, and foul air, and similar openings, d d, aremade in the lower portion of the hood E for the same purpose.

At the top of the dome-shaped hood E is a circular opening, 6, closed bya conical cap, H, for controlling the escape of vapors and gaseousemanations.

The circular or dome-shaped hood E is preferably composed of iron platesof single thick- 6 5 ness bolted or riveted together, as shown at], andis of sufficient weight to maintain its position when set on thefoundation D or on the ground without requiring any fasteniugs.

The horizontal draft-flue O for the central 7o fire-place extends in allcases from a point outside of the kiln to a point immediately un der theseat of fire.

The small openings 0 d,for the exit of smoke and gas or wateryvapors,may be made either in the foundation-wall or in the hood, or inboth, as shown, and should extend completely around the kiln.

The draft-flue O conducts air from the exterior to the grate in thecenter of the kiln, 8o whence it passes to the interior.

The smoke, vapor, and other gaseous products of decomposition pass outthrough the openings 0, d, and e, the latter opening being located atthe top for the escape of thelighter 8 and more inflammable gases,thereby obviating any liability of explosion.

It will be understood that the wood to be charred will be stacked orarranged in such a manner as to be thoroughly exposed to the action ofthe heated air without incurring any liability of ignition, and so thatthe process of charring will be accomplished quickly and without greatloss or waste of combustible material.

I find by experience that in a kiln of this construction,in which thefire-place or grate is located below the kiln-floor, the wood to becharred does not ignite above the level of the floor of the kiln, andthus it is not necessary 10o iolseparate the fire-place from the body ofthe The air enters the kiln through the draftfiue O and passes throughthe fire-place, and in a heated lstate fills the kiln, and then findsvent through the lateral openings.

After a fire has been properly started the fire-place is kept suppliedwith fuel to the necessary slight extent by the falling of small piecesof charred wood into the grate.

-As all the draft enters at a point below the level of the grate, whichis itself depressed below the kiln-floor,no cold air will be admitted tothe kiln, and thus the charring of the wood is more speedilyaccomplished.

I am aware that a charcoal-kiln has heretofore been composed of a hoodor dome composed of a single thickness of iron plates bolted together,said hood being provided at the bottom with a circular series of lateralopenings, and having other openings or doors above. I am also aware thatfoundation-walls havebeen arranged to support such domes ofcharcoalkilns. I do not therefore, broadly, claim such constructions, asmy invention differs therefrom in that the kiln combines in itsstructure a circular foundation-wall, a dome shaped hood restingthereon,with a main door located partly in said foundation-wall andpartly in the hood, "and a central underground fireplace having ahorizontal draft-flue extended beneath the foundation-wall to theexterior of the kiln. A charcoal-kiln made according to my invention asherein described possesses many obvious advantages in simplicity,economy, and efiiciency of operation, and enables large quantities ofwood to be properly and uniformly charred with great rapidity by reasonof its thorough exposure to heated air.

WVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a charcoal-kiln, thecombination,with a central underground fire-place, A, having a grate, B,and a horizontal underground draftflue, 0, extending from beneath saidfire-place to a point outside the kiln, of a portable domeshaped hood,E, composed of a single thickness of iron plates, and having doors F G,a series of lateral openings, d, near the bottom, and a circularopening, a, at the top closed by a cap, H, substantially as described.

2. In a charcoal-kiln, the combination of a central underground fireplace, A, having grate B, a horizontal underground draft-flue, 0,extending from beneath said fire-place to a point outside the kiln, acircular wall, D, having lateral openings 0, and a dome-shaped hood, E,located on said wall and having a circular opening, 6, at the top closedby a cap, H, and a series of lateral openings, d, near its lower edge,said kiln being provided with a door, F, located partly in the hood andpartly in the foundation-wall, substantially as described. I

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVALIER A. LOVELAOE.

\Vitnesses:

D. G. STONE, B. G. VVILBoR.

